Ecommerce Playbook: Numbers, Struggles & Growth Lessons from 11 Years of Building an Agency — and What Happened After
Jul 29, 2025
Join Taylor Holiday, a seasoned agency leader and business strategist, as he discusses the recent acquisition of Common Thread Collective with his partner, Andrew Faris. They delve into the shift in agency dynamics, emphasizing how service businesses can generate more cash compared to e-commerce brands. Learn about the emotional toll of agency ownership, the significance of strong partnerships, and the nuances of equity distribution. Plus, they reflect on early missteps in the digital marketing landscape and share valuable insights on navigating growth and maintaining client trust.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Agencies Outperform E-commerce Businesses
- Agencies generate more cash flow and get better valuation multiples than e-commerce businesses.
- Service businesses have higher operational stability and client lifetime values compared to e-commerce models.
Rapid Growth Derailed By Poor Processes
- CTC grew rapidly during COVID without documented processes, leading to inconsistent client experiences.
- Remote work and fast growth caused 70% of staff to have under one year tenure, reducing quality service.
Sell Daily to Grow Agencies
- Agency owners must prioritize consistent daily sales efforts to grow.
- Deploy capital aggressively into sales and marketing to accelerate business growth.